50+ MPG, One Less Car

This morning, I got all the flashy Suzuki lights blinking at me. Whenever I get down to "one bar" on the fuel gauge, a tiny little fuel pump starts blinking in the corner of my instrument panel. Once the fuel has dropped below a certain point in the gas tank, that one bar starts blinking, too.

With nary over 1,300 miles on this bike, I'm wondering if the headlight is going to blink next and how hard it would be to push the V-Strom to the next gas station.

Regardless, I made it home. The mpg readout before I filled up stated I averaged 53.8 mpg this past tank of gas. Not bad! I did chuckle as I added 4.77 gallons of gas to my 5.3 gallon fuel tank. I might have made it back to work with what was left!

Not that I would try... But it's good experience for when I'm touring and a long way from home to know that I've got 25 miles to safe and 50 miles to just plain out of luck.

Which reminds me of Aerostich's infamous motorcycle license plate holders:

Aerostich: One less car

1,000

I just passed 1,000 miles on my new black beauty, "Midnight." She is my new Suzuki DL650A, a VStrom 650 ABS Adventure model.

Some observations:
There is a new bike smell, and it is wonderful.
That rear tire really likes to slip when it's cold.
The factory mirrors are great - for long glances at your elbows.
It helps to remove the disc lock from your brakes before riding off into the sunset.
Downshifting into first gear isn't always easy. The transmission is kind of clunky like the FJR's.
Earplugs are my friend.
The clutch lever needs to be properly positioned on the handlebar or every time you shift, the display button engages and changes the display.
Fuel mileage is much more impressive in Imperial Miles per Gallon.
There's lots of low-down torque.
Those saddlebags are big but it makes the bike so wide!
Why in the world is Plexus over $20 a can?
I like sitting way up high.
It's good to be back in the saddle again!

But I still miss my 'ol gal. Midnight reminds me of her in a lot of small ways, but she's definitely her own creature!

2000

(Note: I found this post saved, waiting to be published after how many years? I'm not going to edit it any further, just let it speak for itself.)

On the way to work this morning I noticed I rolled the odometer over 2000 miles.

A lot has happened in the past 1000 miles on this bike. It's become a comfortable commuter - a small but nimble companion that asks very little and does enough. I appreciate its utility and economy. Since I'm not riding highway + speeds, the super-cold gear gets used but not heavily taxed.

I took out Angelina (my neighbor's 600cc CBR 600 F4i) last weekend on a fluke. I griped that I hadn't made it to the hill country lately since my bike doesn't like highway speeds, so he let me borrow her. After about 40 miles, my hands and wrists were tingling mightily, reminding me of some of my woes as I retired from the FJR.

Which got me to thinking all this week. The XT really is a comfortable bike and gets great mileage. The FJR got decent mileage for a large bike and ate up highway like it was nobody's business allowing me to unofficially conduct 1000 mile day voyages on the drop of a hat. How would the XT fare on a 1000 mile voyage? A 2000 mile voyage? A 10,000 mile voyage?

So I started thinking about the Iron Butt Association and the kinds of bikes used for those events. I noticed a heavy use of the megasized bikes has gone down a little bit, replaced with venerable sport-tourers (with the FJR holding a sizeable share of usage).

So what would it take to travel like that? I used to ponder that question a lot, but I began to become more comfortable with my responsibilities than riding. Soon enough, riding became increasingly uncomfortable and - thanks to my recent work in the industry - less than satisfying.

Every ride I've been on - especially the longer ones - I've overpacked or brought stuff that I really could have lived without. I also manage to break at least one of my golden rules that ensure that I have a safe and fun time. (Last time, I didn't bring an extra pair of gloves and the linings designed for my riding gear AND I rode into the dark when I should have stopped to camp. Together, that made a long and uncomfortable night!)

So could the XT make such a journey? Certainly, though I don't know about the rider!

Mechanically, the bike is ready to go. Pack some chain lube and the bike will ride well for a long time. The factory tires seem to last a long time, though I have my doubts about their durability at sustained highway / near-highway speeds.

The rest is about rider comfort. That will make or break how a rider performs over any voyage of any length.

The seat is narrow, which unlike the FJR puts less stress on my pelvis. The seat is also very firm the way the FJR's was when I first bought it. It's starting to break in nicely, and I suspect that it will remain fairly comfortable in stock trim for a long time.

The narrowness of the bike lends itself well to leg comfort, too. Even if the positions for foot placement is limited, moving about on the bike is easier, lessening my complaints in this department as well.

It's the upper body that takes all the stress. I've been pleased with the windflow around my helmet, and the air deflection onto my chest reduces the energy I expend to stay upright at certain speeds, so at most a small deflecting windscreen could come in useful. Moreso, the vibration in the grips of the handlebars concern me enough for normal commuting that I'm left wondering about the effects of long-term riding and the viability of any plans I make with this bike.

The handlebar's vibrations are punishing. Compound this with a lack of any kind of cruise control and the wrists are in for a punishing ride. The handlebars (if replaced) need to stay the approximate size they are now; I tried a set of ATV bars but couldn't get the important stuff to reach well... A mechanical cruise control (like the thumb-actuated Vista Cruise) by itself would help enourmously. The paddle throttle assists work wonders on larger displacement bikes, but due to the full changes in throttle position on the smaller bike, the just aren't as practical. I'd also like to find some foam to slip over the grips to further insulate vibrations from the handlebar. The grip protectors I have should also help null some of the vibrations, but also will increase my temperature range for colder weather gear.

The lighting is good. Sure, it'd be nice to have some LED's lit up under the bike or some fog lights, but... technology really is no replacement for good judgement.

In fact, navigation is 100% possible without GPS, despite the techno freak in me that wants to hook up every kitchen appliance to any vehicle I own... Heated grips, radio and the like are all frivolous.

Indeed, my packing looks the same way. Who needs riding boots, hiking boots, walking shoes and sandals for an overnight camping trip, right? The XT is a veritable Swiss Army knife of riding utility; my approach to riding it should reflect that strength as well.

1,000

Finally, the XT has 1,000 miles. I swore I'd remember when I rolled over the first 1,000 miles on the FJR, but that time has long, long passed.

In memory of this small milestone, I shall recount how the triple-zero transpired.

I was returning home from the grocery store with a gallon of orange juice, several liters of sprite, some mint tea and theraflu. The wife has been sick since Friday, puking and running a fever. I was beginning to feel it myself. She asked me to grab some beverages from the store, so I took my favorite grocery-grabber.

On a side-note, I calculated that a trip to Big Bend would cost less than $40 in gas (at $4 per gallon). Now that I've seen gas for just over $2 per gallon, I'm thinking I might have to save up those sick days (and try not to call in tommorow) to make my annual visit.

The XT has served well as a daily commuter. I'm still trying to get a feel for what its "normal" sounds are... I found a lot of loose bolts from the factory when I repaired her after the accident. I hope this is not a sign of long-term quality issues...

On the other hand, if gas costed $2.50 per gallon, a $1,000 would net about 28,000 miles. Likewise, 1,000 miles only costs $35.71 at $2.50 per gallon. Either way, 1,000 would go a long way on the XT.

Well, I Did It... Again

On the way to work yesterday, I decided to push the limits of the little XT. I discovered it alright, and it could have been very, very disastrous.

I took a very sharp corner - I was on the inside of the turn - and the bike slid out from under me. The bike and I then hit a truck heading the other way. I discovered later that I pretty much hit is square from the side. The bike and I tumbled a bit and came to rest pretty quickly.

Naturally, I freaked out the other driver, who stopped to see if I was alright. Actually, I was more concerned for her than anything. (After all, I hit her vehicle.)

We both determined that other than the psychological shock, we were both okay. She went on her way and I had the bike towed to the shop.

We discussed our professions; it turns out that she teaches at the high school right around the corner from where I live and I'll be teaching at the high school right around the corner from where she lives! I might even teach her daughter next year! That's ironic.

I'll post pictures of the XT before too long; but the bike started right up, though the rear wheel apprears to be messed up along with the normal scrapes from a low-side.

My only physical injuries was some road rash on my left calf (probably abrasion from my jeans) and a small spot on my right knee. I'll have a nice bruise on my lower back near my right hip which made it painful to walk yesterday. My armor absorbed the rest. I definitely have to replace the helmet and jacket (which worked amazingly well). I've never appreciated what a helmet can do until yesterday... I had been meaning to get some lower-body protection since my last set of riding pants developed a zipper problem in the crotch... This would have definitely alleviated the hip/back injury.

To say I was lucky is an understatement. Stupid? Probably. I'll have some time off from riding - again - to consider my next move. There goes my 70 mpg commuter...

As for road rash, this is pretty mild.

Moving Forward

Caitlin is taking a nap on

Papa after a good meal.

Moving Forward can seem so slow at times.

But sometimes it's just better to take it easy than to crash.

It's little moments like the ones above that help me appreciate all the junk I deal with. She's a blessing - not a curse. She's a light, not darkness. She brings me hope, not despair. New life makes life easier to understand.

I love my family. I'd give up motorcycles for them. Thankfully, that doesn't seem to be the case. So, let's keep the rubber side down!

Farewell to FJR; Welcome to XT

The somewhat dreaded day has come and gone: The FJR has left the stable. The day after my lovely wife and newborn daughter returned from the hospital, I took the sport-touring hooligan machine to the dealership where I (essentially) traded it in for a new 2008 Yamaha XT 250.

Both machines are dual-purpose in their own way.
The FJR (above) is a capable sport machine and tourer.
The XT (below) is a capable on and off road machine.

For most people, this would make absolutely no sense. Experienced riders tend to trade upwards – to bigger and faster or more capable bikes. Many people consider the XT a beginner’s bike. In car terms, I traded in a Corvette for a Geo Metro.Using the car analogy, why would a person give up a sports car for one of “lesser” performance? Many reasons, all practical:

• lower value means less depreciation for resale,
• higher mileage,
• lower maintenance costs,
• lower insurance costs,
• greater utility for practical matters.

All the above considerations came to mind when I considered the switch.

• The XT will likely never drop below a value of $1500 to $2000 (35-50% of original cost). The FJR is currently worth about 40% of its original value with its “high” mileage (60,000 miles young) and nearly six years old.
• The XT gets incredible mileage as it is a small displacement, lightweight bike. The first ride showed over 70 mpg and the bike isn’t even broken in yet! To the contrary, I averaged 40 mpg on the FJR, which varied with use of throttle and luggage.
• There isn’t a single maintenance task I cannot perform at home with my existing tools, and the maintenance parts (and chemicals) are few and inexpensive. A single major maintenance for the FJR puts me back between $400 and $600 every 25,000 miles, not including oil changes and tires. The XT won’t require replacing $400-$500 in tires every 10,000 miles either. I won’t need a special machine to mount the tires, either!
• I now pay one fourth the insurance – full coverage – as compared to the FJR. It’s cheap enough to be a no-brainer. Why not have it? I know people that pay two or three times a much each month for their car or motorcycle!

I had to make compromises for utility:

The FJR is great on the highway and makes an excellent commuter for longer distances. The hard luggage serves as an excellent place to store a helmet and riding jacket. It has a nice luggage rack and back seat for all kinds of additional luggage capacity. The adjustable wind screen reduces rider fatigue by limiting wind blast on the rider. But the FJR has several disadvantages: It gets hot in the summer time and even hotter in summer highway traffic. Having a radiator blast heat onto your legs and a fuel tank simmer in your crotch does not strike me as a good time. It’s top-heavy, making it a handful at slow speeds. I did manage to become very confident handling the bike, but that didn’t make it any more fun on slow back roads. The FJR wanted to be out in front – always, inspiring aggressive riding.

The FJR (above) is a blast two-up on fast roads.
The XT (below) is a blast on trails and unpaved roads.

The XT doesn’t have lockable luggage or the ability to eat up miles easily at 70+ mph. But it can carry luggage on the tank and luggage rack. The seat is narrower, though not necessarily more comfortable. The XT is air cooled but won’t cook the rider even in slower traffic. Its light weight makes handling easy at any speed and can travel on any road, paved or not. Both bikes are “buzzy” in the handlebar, though the FJR offers more comfort and protection from the elements.

The FJR lockable luggage (above) comes standard on all US models.
The XT (below) has excellent grab rails and other spaces excellent for attaching soft luggage.

For an experienced rider to move to a much, much smaller bike requires a certain fortitude of character that says it doesn’t matter how big or flashy the bike is, a rider is a person out on two wheels. For me, I’m moving towards a simpler riding lifestyle. I want to commute more. I want to appreciate the world around me instead of flying by it. I want the freedom to travel down a dirt road without fear. I’m ready for the lower costs of low-tech transportation.

The FJR dash (above) has all the instrimentation you'd expect on a sport-tourer.
The lightweight digital dash on the XT (below) provides the bare necessities.

The FJR and I have parted ways. It was a good run with its share of spills and thrills. I did a lot of things that could not have been done with any other bike. I’m grateful for the experiences I never would have otherwise received. I’m a better rider for all of it. Now I’m heading off to a new chapter in my riding life. The lifestyle which has tested me so much has not gone away, but instead morphed into a new expression. I look forward to the street and dirt roads in my future!

---

Thanks and apologies to:
FJR Info
Yamaha Motor Corp